Tori Murden facts for kids

Victoria Murden McClure, born on March 6, 1963, is an amazing athlete, explorer, and leader. She is famous for being the first woman and first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This incredible journey happened in 1999. She was also the first woman and first American to ski all the way to the geographic South Pole. Plus, she was the first woman to climb the Lewis Nunatak in Antarctica. For 25 years, she was the president of Spalding University, a private Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. She also led the board of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which teaches people about the outdoors and nature.

Early Life and Learning

Victoria was born in Brooksville, Florida. As a child, she lived in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. When she was fifteen, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky. There, she lived with her grandmother and went to the Louisville Collegiate School. She graduated in 1981.

After high school, she went to Smith College and earned a degree in psychology in 1985. She continued her studies at Harvard Divinity School, then at the University of Louisville School of Law, and later at Spalding University.

Incredible Adventures

Victoria has completed several amazing journeys.

Rowing Across the Atlantic

When she was 36 years old, Victoria rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She started from the Canary Islands and finished in Guadeloupe. This trip took her 81 days! She traveled about 4,767 kilometers (2,962 miles). Her boat was named Pearl. It was 23 feet long, 4 feet high, and 6 feet wide. It weighed about 1800 pounds. This was her second try to cross the ocean. Her first attempt in 1998 was stopped by a hurricane.

Victoria wrote a book about her ocean adventure. It is called A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean. It was published in 2009.

Skiing to the South Pole

Victoria was the first woman to ski 700 miles across the South Pole. This was another incredible achievement.

Climbing Lewis Nunatak

She was also the first woman to climb the Lewis Nunatak in Antarctica.

Her Career

Victoria has had many different jobs. She worked as a chaplain at Boston City Hospital. She was also the leader of a shelter for women who did not have homes. She worked for the Mayor of Louisville as a public policy analyst. She even worked for the famous boxer and humanitarian Muhammad Ali.

On June 1, 2010, Victoria became the president of Spalding University in Louisville. She led the university for 25 years until she retired in 2024. She also served as the leader of the Board for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Awards and Honors

Victoria has received many awards for her courage and achievements:

• 1988 – She was the first woman and first American to reach the top of the Lewis Nunatak in Antarctica.
• 1989 – She was the first woman and first American to ski to the geographic South Pole.
• 1989 – She was named a Hopkin's Scholar at Harvard University.
• 1999 – She was the first woman and first American to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
• 1999 – She received the Silver Horse Shoe Award from the Kentucky Derby Festival. This award is for courage, determination, and helping the community.
• 2000 – She received a special Victor Award from the National Academy of Sports Editors. This award is given to outstanding athletes.
• 2000 – She received the Peter Bird Trophy for Tenacity and Perseverance from the Ocean Rowing Society International.
• 2000 – She was honored by the European Academy of Sport.